Kevin Rudd said, some months before the election, that he "cannot abide cruelty". Senator Kerry O'Brien said that if public concerns over animal welfare in the live export trade could not be addressed, then any government elected would have to consider ending the trade. O'Brien was quickly dumped in favour of Tony Burke.

The government has now made one of the worst possible announcements for Australian animals; a resumption of the live export trade to Egypt, claiming that "regulations" have been put in place to ensure that the animals will be slaughtered in line with OIE standards, which provide for the absolute minimum in animal welfare. The Howard government had two MoUs in place with Egypt and they were proven to be totally worthless. The same applies to the MoUs with all other countries in the MNiddle East and elsewhere, they are totally unenforceable and provide only for the animals to be unloaded off ships.

Here are facts and figures of the real worth of this cruelty in comparison to the worth of the frozen meat trade to Egypt.

The value of chilled/frozen sheep meat to Egypt in the 11 month period from Jan-Nov 2006 was $3.5 million AUD.

The value of live sheep exported to Egypt during 2006 was approx. $2.8 million AUD.

The value of chilled/frozen beef to Egypt in the 11 month period Jan-Nov 2006 was $100million AUD.

The value of live cattle FOB in 2005 (none in 2006 due to suspension of trade) was $3.5 million – $7million AUD (variable reports).

The trade in frozen and chilled sheep meat and beef to Egypt has been increasing in recent years. (source ABS).

If you think this is WRONG - and how can we forget the scenes of cattle having their legs and tails slashed with knives and their eyes stabbed - now is the time to say so

Matters could not get much worse for these animals, Alexandra0814 except that the meat industry cartel are actively planning for a much larger increase in live exports.

The pumped up Rudd government believes they have some semi-divine status to deny compassion for these animals. All beings that feel pain deserve rights and this latest inhumane decision clearly reveals the government's sheer bloody self-interest in its avaricious alignment with the feeble-minded animal sadists controlling this trade.

Australia's political morals are descending and plummeting to unfathomable depths and this country is being forced to abdicate all interests in principles and ethics.

I am growing increasingly concerned over the Rudd government's arrogance and I anticipate more negative international headlines on Australia's outrageous decision to resume exporting live animals to the barbarians in Egypt.

We need a national day of action.

Hi all

Go, Alexandra, that is an excellent post for a new user. Congratulations. Dickie as always, and you, are absolutely right, these animals can expect no compassion from this government, the sadists who export them and the worst sadists who butcher them. Animals Australia made a specific journey to Egypt and met the first shipload of sheep to arrive after the signing of the second MoU with Egyot which was supposed to underpin proper welfare standards for "Australian" animals, and we saw how well that worked. Sheep tied to car roof racks for 90 minute journeys and worse.

The Rudd government should hang its head in shame, and Rudd is the worst hypocrite of them all. The multiplicity of correspondence I got from the ALP in recent years before the election was, word for word "the Howard Government has known about this cruelty for six years and has failed to address it". How much worse does that make Rudd and Burke? I think that is precisely why Kerry O'Brien was dumped, because he spoke out against this.

Cheers
Nicky

Hi all

Once again apathy prevails in this excellent post. Alexandra, don't be discouraged!

Cheers
Nicky

Hi Alexandra, Nicky

I am perplexed over the lack of media attention to the closure of the abattoir and live meat market in Jordan.

Why the silence?

The media are usually at the forefront in exposing the government over its suppression of vital information.

Why have the media failed to publish information on the Jordanian issue?

Hi anyone out there

Dickie, even Animals Australia seems to be relatively low-key about it. You wonder if there is some sort of media censorship going on.

I still think your idea of a "walk against evil live exports" is a good one. Let's put it to Animals Australia, and they can put it to their member groups in all states.

Alexandra, I hope you haven't been driven away!

Cheers
Nicky